NORTH CAROLINA — Dove hunting season opening day is Labor Day, Sept. 2.
The 2013-14 season for mourning and white-winged dove is Sept. 2–Oct. 5; Nov. 25–Nov. 30; and Dec. 13–Jan. 11. Daily bag limit is 15 and possession limit is 45. Shooting hours are half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

This is the first year that the Hunting Heritage Apprentice permit will be in effect. The permit allows someone to purchase a hunting license without first having completed hunter education, then go hunting, as long as the apprentice is within sight and hearing distance of an accompanying licensed hunter, at least 18 years old, who serves as mentor.

The commission’s Home From The Hunt campaign encourages hunters to be safe and responsible in the field, with the following recommendations:

•When hunting in a group, adhere to established zones of fire.
•Never shoot at low-flying birds and alert others when a bird is too low for a safe shot.
•Take time prior to hunting to walk the field and inspect the area for bait.
•Never place decoys on utility lines, which is trespassing and risks electrical shock.
•Don’t combine game bags, which is a hunting regulations violation.

All hunters must follow applicable licensing requirements and hunting regulations. It is an individual hunter’s responsibility to know the area being hunted., and not hunt on over baited fields. According to state regulations, the placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of salt, grain or other feed that could serve as a lure for migratory game can constitute a baited area.

Because birds often return to a feeding area even after the food source is exhausted, hunting within 10 days after complete disappearance of feed from a baited area is illegal.
For more information on hunting seasons, Hunting Heritage Apprentice permits and the Hunter Education Program, visit ncwildlife.org.